I own a niche website with content that people would most likely pay for. As for right now, I have 400 members the site that is about a month old. Most of the really good content isn't even up yet. The options I see available are to:

1) Make a paid members area with the "really good" content in it
2) Content lock the "really good" content
3) Keep everything free and build a large, VERY targeted list and mail them offers every once in a while.


I'm having a writer's block (if-you-will). I realize this is basic monetization stuff, but as for right now, I can't seem to decide which option is the right one for the site. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If you have another option you would like to add, please do so!

Also, with #1, I would also have their email addresses and would be able to email them offers every once in a while.

Either #1 or #3. They are more consistent.

In such case, i will follow this monetization:
1. Keep both free and paid membership. In this way you will get users opt-in and many of them(mostly the desperate one) will buy paid membership too. Giving away high quality contents for free will cause high opt-in but it will reduce life time(many people will share on www).
2. From the active free subscriber reward 1-3 people paid membership per month to keep them active. In this case, you can use referral contest.

autoblogger has it spot on. #2 would be a waste of revenue

Right now I'm building up all the content for the paid membership area. It's going to launch next week. Thank you all for the suggestions!

I'd go with #1 as it gives the benefits of 1 and 3 considering that you make them chose while ordering if they like to sign up to get offers or not. Just mentioning "sign up to receive special offers" will get most of them to sign up for your newsletter while purchasing.

Start with 2),move to 3) ;use a script for collecting the emails when they complete the offer(i think such a script was shared here;reason for doing this:you get their emails and you are paid for every offer they complete)
When you have enough emails:continue with 1) or either use all 1),2),3) except of course offering free content.
Don't leave money on the table !

Honestly, I would go with #1. It seems more legitimate.

I'd go with one and/or 3 mate. BUT the only way you are going to find out is when you implement and see the results for your self. SO take action and good luck to you